My Monogram Cake Topper - NEED SERIOUS HELP!

From the pics it doesn't look bad... but i understand that you want perfection!! I would suggest taking them off and starting again. I would start by lining the large crystals up along the edge so that you get a straight edge, then using the small ones to fill in the gaps. If you ordered enough of the small ones to cover the entire thing I would just scrap the big ones. the smaller the crystals the less noticeable the gaps.

And for the glue situation- you might want to buy a really small paint brush to put just a dab of glue on the back of each crystal. Or use a toothpick to apply the glue. That way you won't have excess between the crystals. Decopage' (sp?) glue works good b/c it works on virtually any surface.

Good Luck! and don't get frustrated, even Martha Stewart doesn't do it alone!

My first suggestion is just stop while you're ahead. Taking the crystals off may mean that the backs of them might come off, which will make them look crappy, not to mention the fact that the more you handle them the more likely you are to get glue all over them.

If you have enough crystals, I'd use new ones on a new surface.

Another possibility would be to put glue on all the areas that are exposed and get either a shimmer/glitter or small little seed beads of either a neutral colour or in one of your crystal colours and basically spread them on a plate and then push your topper face down into them, hoping that they all fill in the cracks and cover the glue. I think this could be successful, but I'm really not sure.

Hope whatever you choose to do works for you!

I honestly think it looks fine and would probably just stop there, because undoing is probably going to make it worse and re-doing might still not be a good thing. Ugh. Good luck

Depending on the glue you used, you can scrape them off.. sounds like you have plenty to spare. The key is to use the large, med, small ones and work in a random pattern as you go. All the edges don't need to be exact but the entire front should be covered.. you'll see what sort of gap is created and can place a small one or medium one in that spot (depending where on the letter it falls.)

You don't have to do it all in one setting, but you should work on one side and work you way along the letter.. before the glue is dry, you can slide the crystals with your finger (slightly) to adjust if needed. I spent hours on mine but it turned out great!

i can't really see the gaps form your photo. I thought it looked great just like stacey said...are there smaller crystals that you could fill in the gaps with? If it didn;t take you too long, maybe you could start over with varying size crystals...I am not sure if I am any help here. I am aure there is a DIY guru who can provide more guidance here. I think you did an amazing job on your first one though. Good Luck!!

I like it a lot, I only see a few very tiny gaps but only cuz you mentioned them so I started looking harder! I think you did a great job! What gaps are you referring to, on the top part of the K right side?

I really appreciate all of the tips... I DID buy the smaller (WAY smaller) crystals, in the hopes of filling the gaps in. But it's the glue that has caused the big problem, I think.

It went on "heavy" from the get-go (I want to say, kindof like grout... wait until it dries a bit for best laying results...) but it then formed a crusty, 'up-builds' between the crystals. Had I had the smaller crystals back then, I don't think it would have been AS bad, but the glue would still have set crustily (WORD OF THE DAY!) & (to me) somewhat cheapy looking... =(

The glue I used was what came with the crystals... E6000. I'd love to try using something else (something not as 'gunky') but something that will hold well... and truth be told, the E6000 wasn't holding so well anyway. I know I saw another poster opting for another type of glue... I just can't for the life of me recall who it was... (or why)

If I take the crystals off, I'm assuming the glass/mirror/acrylic topper will be okay to use again... ?

Bloody hell! I DO have some time, thank God! I just don't want anything to look tacky, KWIM?

... the top right side... the lower region of the upper stroke of the "K" is REALLY bad (Christ! this is like code!) ... and basically, everywhere else in between.

The photos actually don't look so bad. It looks SO much more unattractive in 'the flesh'

=(

p.s. I've plenty of crystals left... and plenty of glue... (which I think is causing my problems) Materials are not in short supply, by any means... (except for the actual 'topper' itself. But I'm thinking that the acrylic will be good to go again...?)

Ok. I have a lot of experience working with rhinestones and flatback Swarovskis, because I make jewelry and I used to work in a jewelry store: If you are able to re-use the actual thing that the flatbacks are glued onto (and it'll depend on if you can get rid of the glue), here are some glues I'd try if I were you:

This is the glue that I would usually use in this kind of situation, so if you have the opportunity and the energy, I'd suggest it: Gem Tac

Another one that we used to use all the time for jewelry repairs is very common: Goop. It's a little Goopy though.

This is my favorite, because it has a very small pin-like applicator for precise work. It's the least messy, IMHO: Hypo Cement